Take a private rental car south to the historic spa town of Bagno Vignoni, famous for its hot springs since the time of the ancient Etruscans and Romans. Check in at our historic villa-property, a delightful medieval home in the center of the village. Enjoy a three-course dinner paired with local wines at a lovely osteria overlooking the thermal pool in the central square of the village. Spend the night in Bagno Vignoni.
"Food is our common ground, a universal experience."
James Beard
What to Expect
All of our trips are completely customized, but we want to give you a taste of what you can expect with Preferred.
Featured Itinerary
Relax under the Tuscan sun, experiencing the beautiful villages and countryside. Taste your way through magnificent kitchens and come back an expert after an authentic Italian cooking class.
In the morning, visit the wine estate of Nostra Vita, a family-run producer of wonderful Brunello and Rosso di Montalcino vintages. During your tasting, you'll enjoy three different glasses, accompanied with locally produced artisan cheeses, salami and fresh baked bread. Visit the nearby Abbey of Sant' Antimo, one of the most beautiful buildings in all of Tuscany, supposedly founded by Charlemagne. At noon, monks sing Gregorian chants in the beautiful abbey church. In the evening, continue your exploration of Tuscan food and wine with a cooking class at your villa hotel. The chef will work with you to prepare an authentic Italian dinner consisting of a starter, two first courses and a dessert. Spend the night in Bagno Vignoni.
Today you'll enjoy a cheese tasting excursion at Podere il Casale, an organic agricultural farm near the hilltop town of Pienza. This 16th-century hillside farm offers stunning views over the Val d'Orcia and contains 5,000 olive trees, 10 aces of vineyards and a myriad of crops. Sample eight varieties of locally made sheep and goat cheeses with a glass of wine and home-baked hearth bread as the farm's owners explain the stages of cheese production. Afterwards, visit the historic town of Pienza. This charming village is known as the architectural embodiment of the Renaissance, the masterful creation of the great humanist Enea Silvio Piccolomini who would later become Pope Pius II. The main square of the town reflects Piccolomini's dream. Take time to explore this little Tuscan jewel. Spend the night in Bagno Vignoni.
Roll up your sleeves for some cooking in a family-owned villa. You will learn various techniques and gain knowledge of authentic regional ingredients and cooking methods. Along with your experienced chef instructor, you will prepare an entire meal, tasting local wines as you create your gourmet feast. Spend the night in Bagno Vignoni.
After breakfast, depart to another area of Italy, or extend your stay longer should you desire.
Seeking a different culinary exploration?
If the featured itinerary isn't what you had in mind, our Preferred Curators can customize a vacation experience that is perfectly tailored to you and your interests. In addition to our featured destinations and experiences, we also offer a wide array of bespoke alternatives for any traveler.
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